I have just returned from a visit to Japan, where I lived 30 years ago. It was so beautiful to return, especially during sakura season. I hadn't known before that sakura were planted all over Japan after WWII. Such a poetic way to rebuild a country. Thank you, Kana-chan, for bringing rural Japan to my inbox!
This is the kind of comment that makes me so happy to share about life in rural Japan. Thank you so much & I’m so glad that you had a chance to come back to Japan recently! I wonder if you’ve felt it’s changed a lot since the time you you living here?
Japan hasn't changed as much as I have in 30 years. It still feels much the same in essence--at least from my short visit. (I have been posting recently about this 'conversation between two cultures, two times, two selves' if you'd like to read more of my impressions. No pressure of course-- I just mention this because you asked.)
I love how you write and read this article: soft and sweet and tender just like the flowers. Would love to visit your village one day and avoid the tourists.
I visited Japan two years ago early March, and I thought I saw some early sakura, but they were definitely ume! Thank you for this post and for sharing the difference through your attention. 🌸
I resonated with what you said about people’s rush to photograph them without really *seeing* them at all. I’m a photographer, so my natural inclination is to shoot everything. But when it comes to things like flowers, vistas, and other stunning natural views, I like to take time to enjoy them first without my camera. It’s a lot nicer to just be in the moment and enjoy it!
Here in the mountains of Central California, we have apricots and peaches. Last spring one of my apricots exploded in white blossoms, and stayed thick and white for a whole month! This spring, the flowers didn't last so long because of snow and rain.
I see again the photo of you and your friend sitting on the path underneath the sakura - but I cannot find the caption that went with it! The description contained the beautiful haiku that I wrote to you about! Please send it to me again!
this was a wonderful read, thank you for teaching me these differences! I really wanna smell some plum blossoms now.
here in michigan in the states we are anticipating many ornamental trees to start blooming too. though plum and peach are not common here, we see many decorative varieties of cherry, apple, and pear trees. we collectively hate the pear trees because their blooms smell awful and they are an overabundant source of pollen for allergy-sufferers :')
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the distinction between ume, momo, and sakura! Was just mentioning to a friend that I couldn't tell apart the peach and sakura blossoms. Interesting that you mentioned 'Orang Asli' (Jahai people) - coming also from Malaysia, sadly I didn't grow up with such intimate relationship to smell as our indigenous people.
Thank you for the kind comment! And for noting the native spelling ('Orang Asli'). Yes, if only we were so bound by the limits of English and had a deeper connection with the land, I wonder how our sense of smell would/could be!
I’m not sure if this is across Japan, but compared to last year, I’m seeing far fewer bees. I can’t point to a specific reason why, but it is concerning.
Apples and pears are my favourite fruits! Hope the bees pull through into spring.
Thanks for this lovely meditation on Spring blossoms, Kana! 👏
As to "What’s blooming near you? How is the arrival of birds and other signs of life?", here in southern California (US), the jasmine flowers have passed and the orange blossoms now perfume the air. The mockingbirds and hummingbirds are active again after their usual Winter disappearance. Beautiful! 🌱
lucky me, i happened to be online just after you posted another wonderful "garden" piece with pictures...so appreciated by this small apartment city dweller who aged out of her country garden too many years ago. the music is an added treat to my lesson in blossoms! happy spring~
There's nothing quite like the beauty of spring. Now I'll be able to tell the blossoms apart! Thank you for this beautiful reflection and for the music ☺️
Amazing pictures, worth the 6:00am, tell him thanks!
Thank you so much! I will share the message :)
I have just returned from a visit to Japan, where I lived 30 years ago. It was so beautiful to return, especially during sakura season. I hadn't known before that sakura were planted all over Japan after WWII. Such a poetic way to rebuild a country. Thank you, Kana-chan, for bringing rural Japan to my inbox!
This is the kind of comment that makes me so happy to share about life in rural Japan. Thank you so much & I’m so glad that you had a chance to come back to Japan recently! I wonder if you’ve felt it’s changed a lot since the time you you living here?
Japan hasn't changed as much as I have in 30 years. It still feels much the same in essence--at least from my short visit. (I have been posting recently about this 'conversation between two cultures, two times, two selves' if you'd like to read more of my impressions. No pressure of course-- I just mention this because you asked.)
I love how you write and read this article: soft and sweet and tender just like the flowers. Would love to visit your village one day and avoid the tourists.
Thank you so much for your kind comment!
I visited Japan two years ago early March, and I thought I saw some early sakura, but they were definitely ume! Thank you for this post and for sharing the difference through your attention. 🌸
Oh lovely! I’m so glad you caught some of the spring blooms on your last visit. Ume are so beautiful!
Lovely read and photos 😁
I resonated with what you said about people’s rush to photograph them without really *seeing* them at all. I’m a photographer, so my natural inclination is to shoot everything. But when it comes to things like flowers, vistas, and other stunning natural views, I like to take time to enjoy them first without my camera. It’s a lot nicer to just be in the moment and enjoy it!
It’s definitely a balance (that I’m still working on too!) And I completely understand the urge to capture everything. Hope you have a lovely spring!
You too :)
BS"D
Here in the mountains of Central California, we have apricots and peaches. Last spring one of my apricots exploded in white blossoms, and stayed thick and white for a whole month! This spring, the flowers didn't last so long because of snow and rain.
I see again the photo of you and your friend sitting on the path underneath the sakura - but I cannot find the caption that went with it! The description contained the beautiful haiku that I wrote to you about! Please send it to me again!
Oh, snow in Central California?! Is that normal or rare?
The caption was: My best friend and I beneath the sakura trees, the ground around us soft with fallen petals 🌸
this was a wonderful read, thank you for teaching me these differences! I really wanna smell some plum blossoms now.
here in michigan in the states we are anticipating many ornamental trees to start blooming too. though plum and peach are not common here, we see many decorative varieties of cherry, apple, and pear trees. we collectively hate the pear trees because their blooms smell awful and they are an overabundant source of pollen for allergy-sufferers :')
I had no idea that pear trees gave off such a smell. Spring allergies… ah! Hope you get through the season and enjoy the spring blooms, nonetheless!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing the distinction between ume, momo, and sakura! Was just mentioning to a friend that I couldn't tell apart the peach and sakura blossoms. Interesting that you mentioned 'Orang Asli' (Jahai people) - coming also from Malaysia, sadly I didn't grow up with such intimate relationship to smell as our indigenous people.
Thank you for the kind comment! And for noting the native spelling ('Orang Asli'). Yes, if only we were so bound by the limits of English and had a deeper connection with the land, I wonder how our sense of smell would/could be!
Here in the middle of Alaska I await and look for the fuzzy white pussy willow blooms.
Oooh, I love those blooms! Do you get the pink kind as well? Those bloom here in January or February already. A bit warmer here!
No, just the delightful little fuzzy white pussies.
Though in early June the wild roses bloom color rioting reds and pinks throughout the tagia.
Thank you 😍
I so enjoyed this, particularly the mention of smell's connection with culture!
Thank you so much for the kind comment! Fascinating right?! I wonder what we’re missing with our limited language that’s connected to smell.
Thankyou Kana, for sharing the wonders of spring in rural Japan. The blossoms are exquisite and although shortlived, a foretaste of the fruit to come.
How are the bees doing in rural Japan? Here in the UK the bees have suffered from a very wet winter.
We are blessed to live among apple and pear orchards in our part of rural England.
Oh yes! Plum fruits are just around the corner.
I’m not sure if this is across Japan, but compared to last year, I’m seeing far fewer bees. I can’t point to a specific reason why, but it is concerning.
Apples and pears are my favourite fruits! Hope the bees pull through into spring.
Thanks for this lovely meditation on Spring blossoms, Kana! 👏
As to "What’s blooming near you? How is the arrival of birds and other signs of life?", here in southern California (US), the jasmine flowers have passed and the orange blossoms now perfume the air. The mockingbirds and hummingbirds are active again after their usual Winter disappearance. Beautiful! 🌱
Thank you so much for calling the newsletter a meditation. It means a lot!
Oh lovely! No mockingbirds or hummingbirds, but we have bush warblers, known in Japanese as uguisu (鶯) and their sounds are so sweet.
lucky me, i happened to be online just after you posted another wonderful "garden" piece with pictures...so appreciated by this small apartment city dweller who aged out of her country garden too many years ago. the music is an added treat to my lesson in blossoms! happy spring~
What a lovely coincidence—thank you for finding your way here & thank you so much for your kind comment. Happy spring to you as well!
There's nothing quite like the beauty of spring. Now I'll be able to tell the blossoms apart! Thank you for this beautiful reflection and for the music ☺️
Yas, thank you so much for the kind words! Hope you can enjoy whatever is in bloom around you!